Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Yes, you are being ripped off. $50 is insane to replace two bulbs, and the drive belt isn't an inspection issue at all (although if it is indeed worn you should replace it, but don't let this guy do it).
How long did it take to replace the bulbs? Mechanic labor is around $80 an hour. Some cars are really time consuming. What kind of car? As for drive belt, it's not part of the inspection requirement. However, if it's original to the car, you have that many miles on it, you should have it replaced. If you don't have it replaced and it breaks, you're going to permanent damage your car. Most mechanics will tell you to replace your water pump at the same time when they replace your belt, otherwise you end up essentially paying for the same labor twice.
Oh and you should turn him in to the dmv. They'll go get an inspection and see if they're lying to people. They don't say who they are when they do it. The shop will get into trouble.
Yes, you are being ripped off. $50 is insane to replace two bulbs, and the drive belt isn't an inspection issue at all (although if it is indeed worn you should replace it, but don't let this guy do it).
Find another mechanic!
Wrong!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by butterflies1375
How long did it take to replace the bulbs? Mechanic labor is around $80 an hour. Some cars are really time consuming. What kind of car? As for drive belt, it's not part of the inspection requirement.
Wrong!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vinny536
$50 for 2 bulbs that cost well under $10 at walmart, although some cars have difficult to change bulbs. In my opinion this should be DIY maintenance.
I'm not 100% familiar with NC's vehicle code, but I don't see how a worn belt can cause the car to fail. RUN!
Most, if not all automobiles, these days use a single belt to drive the accessories (alternator, water pump, A/C, power steering) and if the vehicle has hydraulic steering assist, i.e. power steering, then it is part of the steering system as the vehicle would become difficult to manuver in the event the belt failed.
Even before the single drive belt came along the power steering belt was considered part of the inspection.
Quote:
Originally Posted by arbyunc
Hmm, could be. The OP did say $50 for labor and bulbs. If that includes the inspection fee, then it certainly is reasonable.
^ Well then, I stand corrected. I took a minute to look up the inspection requirements, and WFW&P is absolutely right--the power steering belt is indeed part of the inspection. I never knew that. Thanks for setting me straight!
So it appears our rogue mechanic above may be a straight shooter after all. I'm going to time-out now for being a bad poster...
The quote did NOT include the $35 inspection fee. I don't have the quote in front of me so I was only guessing on the cost of the drive belt. But the total cost was something like $180 so $50 for bulbs+$35 for inspection leaves $95 for the drive belt. You are right that the bulbs are $1 each but the labor is somewhat time consuming to replace them.
Meanwhile, I queried my neighborhood listserv and found out about a great mechanic that I can walk to from home who will likely do the work for a much more reasonable cost.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
